HELENA, Ga. -- State officials say that illegal cell phones inside the Telfair State Prison were the cause of a large fight that led to three inmates being taken to a hospital and two of the dormitories being locked down.

Georgia Department of Corrections officials said the Monday night disturbance brings to light the serious dangers of cell phones in Georgia's prison system.

Authorities say it's illegal for Georgia prison inmates to have
cell phones, but they are smuggled into the facilities.

A statement from Corrections Commissioner Brian Owens said that inmates use cell phones to commit more crime and carry out gang activity, and the devices jeopardize the safety of everyone inside the prison.

State officials did not indicate exactly how cell phones caused the disturbance.